Being an icon at 18 comes with a price and teenage pop sensation Justin Bieber says he is handling stardom at a young age just the best way he can.

Being an icon at 18 comes with a price and teenage pop sensation Justin Bieber says he is handling stardom at a young age just the best way he can. “I feel great to receive stardom at such a young age. I think the most important thing is to stay humble. People want you to succeed, but when you make it, they want to tear you down. It’s a weird world,” says Bieber.

Ask him if that is the reason why he came out with hip-hop beats and rap in his latest single Boyfriend, to put criticism at bay? “Ya. I want people to know that I’m really about the music, and not just putting out songs,” says the singer, who is still kicked about being awarded the Social Artist of the Year at the Billboard Music Awards 2012. The gala took place at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday night and aired live in India on Monday morning on Vh1 India.

Bieber performed on the same stage at the big ticket event as his self-confessed “brother and mentor” Usher, and he can’t stop raving about the R&B star. “He has been my mentor and guides me on what to do and what not to do. I have immense respect in him,” says the Baby hitmaker, who is currently dating singer-actor Selena Gomez.